Hayrake



Nov. 29, 1949 F. s. BATEMAN ET AL HAYRAKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1, 1942 NW. 29, 1949 F. s. BATEMAN ETAL HAYRAKE Filed Aug. 1, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 29, 1949 F. s. BATEMAN ET AL 2,439,256

' HAYRAKE Filed Aug. 1, 1942 5 SheetsSheet 5 Patented Nov. 29, 1949 HAY-RAKE Fred 8.. Bateman waryne, and James H; Corwin;

Pottstown, Pas; said Gonwin: assignortmsaid;

Batemanr.

Applicatim flugusfir, 19.42, Serial-No. 4533244 This invention relates to hay, rakesandmore: particularly to theconstruction of high speedhayr' rakesadapted for use: as implements drawn-by? the present day. tractor.

The hay rake, as'previously'employed, isune suitable for use with tractorsdue toithelfacttthat-r whentractor drawn, there must be some.;means. for automatically dumping, the rake, the ordinary: handpull being unsatisfactory at.-therelativelyt high speeds at whicha-tractor mayebe economie cally operated. While. it has. been. heretofore proposed to utilize semi-automatic dumpings means actuated from thewheels of. the hay rake for dumping the rake, all such means with which, We are familiar have been-adapted toruse with implements operating at very low speeds, asior. example, two miles perhounwhereas the pres? ent' invention contemplates construction. off arr apparatus which will operate at, aspeedzofleigliti to ten miles per hour. In such prior sex/meme was customary to use a pawl andjrat'chetlmechanism for connecting the tine bar to the wheels? so that the tines would be elevatedi anddump? the accumulated load'of hay. At the slow speeds at which such devices were intendedto be. usedf, such a mechanism is satisfactory, but? withia" mechanism operating ata relatively higli speefi, such as those above" suggesteditlie shocli upoir the" mechanism" issuch" thatthe" implement rap idly'deteriorates and becomesan' economic use bi'lity.

An important object of thepresent -inventiom is-the provision of a tractor draw-n'dmplement capable of operating-atrelatively higli speeds-and? including arsemi-vautomatic dumping-mechamsm' in-which there is employed a:clutchhavingga;:rel+- atively gradual applicationand imwhichpaccordw ingly, the destructive. shock upon thee-mechanism: is materially reduced, if: notentirelyeliminatedl Another object of the inventionisthe-provisiOn of a hay rake which is so constructedrthattitii maw operate without dribbling? ovenrelativelyrrough: territory and in whichbreakage-and,damage to the tines is materially-reduced- Another object of the invention is thaprovision oil a structure which willsmaterially reduce the over-all weight of the rake, as ordinarily, con" structed.

A still further objectlofthe inventionislthel provision of a rake structure, in which the rake; I

1340mm (Cl. 56i-384).

shown: a preferred embodiment of our inventions and f wherein:

Ei-gmel -isiaacentral longitudinalsectional-"view throughxthe hayrakein accordancewith oun m ventioni taken on: line ll of Figure zy Eignre 2 Es a-fragmentary plan view-thereof? figure 3 is a fr'agmentary rear perspectiveot' thearake;

Ei'gurea l is a fragmentary side elevation sl-iovw ing the rake and actuating meeh'a-nism in-tlie" dumping position in solid lines and in' the normal operating position int d'otte'd 1 lines: ure: 5 i a fragmentary perspective of tinesframe illustrating the mounting of 'the sti-ib Eigurefi isa detail" crerspective illiistratihwtlie means. for. returning. the clutch element to its normal position;

Figure .7 is a fragmentaryelevation illustrating the-method of limitingathemoveme-nifcf the hand? operated clutch element; and

Figure': 8. is a a, fragmentary perspective: ofiithe': handeoperatedtzclutchielement;

Referring; now more: particularly to. the: crews ings,-,. number: I ll. generally indicatesra ihorizontali tineebar, at present showna-sL composed; of am angle .bar l I against which'ther'upper endsofithe tinessare-iseatedandstowhich the tinesiareiconzv finedby means of:a woodenfiller. stripslm'. 'Il're? tinesl3- arerof the usual construction; ,i. e .,-,he:v ing; adjacent their upper or attached. endsaa: springlloop I4 affording flexibility and enabling? the tines to. passover minor obstacles without damage. The tineframe additionally; includes-a side members l5, eachzof which; is at present-dis closed. ascomposed'ofa pair of parallel'meme wherein, for the purpose ofiillustration; we have" bersll6? connected at-their upper ends :byr-mean's: of plates l1, toone: of: whichrthe associated;-end of.- the angle-bar. II is attached. Between; the lower ends of-the.- members: 16 there is: securedr stub axles [8 upon which are rotatably: mounted, thesupporting; wheels I 91 which aszpresenttillus grated are preferably: equipped. with. pneumatic;v

Mountedonbearings formed inthe: innermostof theplate l T and .inflthe. central bearing 12 L care riedlby the crossbar oithetineeframe is atshaft 22'; the outer ends.of.which are, equipped-with; adjustable blocks 23 overlying, and adapted foe. engagement withtlie..pneumaticltires 20 0f wheels; I92. Since the structures at opposite. ends of; the machine are'identical, 011131, one. thereof hereinshown and described Scuredtoshaftlfli at the center is-an arm 24, by meansof which: through a pull'exerted from thetractor by means.

will be gradual and similar in operation to the sine curve produced by an eccentric, thus eliminating abrupt shock upon the mechanism and en'- abling the head to be elevated with a smooth action less destructive than that resulting from the instantaneous engagement of a pawl and ratchet such as that hereinbefore discussed. The movement of the blocks 23, following their engagement with a movement by the tire is positively limited by any suitable means. In the presen-t'instance, we have shown the shaft 22 as equipped at its ends with limiting blocks 26 welded to the shaft as at 21 and engaging against the upper end of one of the members I6 at the desired point, as more clearly shown in Figure 7. As a means for returning the blocks 23 and the shaft 22 to its normal position, springs 260. are connected between the stop elements 26 and brackets 261) secured to one of the side members 16 of the tine frame l0.

Associated with the tine frame H] is a draw frame 28, which is at present illustrated as including a pair of side members 29, each of which is provided with a bearing 30 in which the axle is oscillatably mounted, and a pair of connecting transverse elements 3| to which the draw bar 32 is connected. This draw bar 32 is provided with a series of openings 33 for the selective reception of the securing element 34 by means of which a trip 35 is adjustably connected to the draw frame. This trip, as more clearly shown in Figure 2, includes a horizontally extended pivot upon which is mounted a roller 36, arranged in the path of arm 24 and against which this arm engages when the tine frame Ill, moving under the compulsion of engagement of the blocks 23 with tires 20', has shifted the tines to a sufiicient extent to' enable the cleaner bars 31 to withdraw the collected load from the tines. Engagement of arm 24 with the trip releases the blocks 23 from the tire 20 enabling return of the tine bar and the tines to the working position, an operation which is facilitated in a manner hereinafter to be described. In addition to the adjustments of the trip 35 longitudinally of the draw bar hereinbefore discussed, this member is preferably longitudinally slotted as indicated at 38 to permit vertical adjustment thereof.

' Pivotally connected to the parallel side members 29 of the draw frame 28, at the forward ends thereof are a pair of bars 39 which project through openings formed in the angle bar ll and are equipped at opposite sides of the angle bar with springs 40 and 4 l. The spring lfl comes into play when the tine bar is in its working position, being at that time partially compressed and exerting a tension against the tine bar which may be regulated as by means of locknuts, indicated at 42. This spring is engaged by the channel bar when the side members l5 of the tine frame incline upwardly and rearwardly from the stub axle and the free ends of the tines are in proper engagement with the ground. These springs will serve, when passing over rough ground or when any serious obstruction is met with, to enable the entire tine frame to shift upwardly and forwardly, thus lifting the tines off the ground, but are of such order that they will not serve to elevate the tines completely from the ground. The result is that the tines will follow ground contours and there will be no dribble of the hay during working or collecting periods. The springs M are normally inactive, resting against a lower seat 43 formed upon the pivotal connection of the bar to the side element 29 and supporting at their upper ends a washer 44 or some abutment by means of which the spring may be properly compressed when the angle bar 1! comes into engagement therewith. l5

Due to the fact that the tine frame normally inclines upwardly and rearwardly from the stub axles, there will, of course, be a constant tendency of this frame to swing downwardly and rearwardly toward the ground and, accordingly, a constant tendency on the part of the tine frame to apply pressure to the tines. This pressure is regulated by the springs 40, the tension and position of which may be regulated through the adjusting mechanism at 42. It is therefore possible to very closely regulate the pressure with which the tines engage the ground. Obviously, the pressure of such engagement will act not only to prevent disengagement of the tines from the ground and, accordingly, to insure raking without dribbling, but likewise to insure against such an engagement as would be likely to cause damage in the event of passage of the rake over rough territory, as for example, when raking cornstalks.

In the course of a normal dumping operation, as the tine frame moves forwardly under the influence of the clutching action between the blocks 23 and tires 20, the springs 41 will be compressed, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure l and will accordingly act when the clutchin engagement is terminated to kick the tine frame rearwardly into its normal or working position and the final motion of the tine frame to its working position is cushioned by the supporting springs 40.

' It will be obvious from the foregoin that a rake constructed in accordance with our invention may be made of extremely light construction, will operate to cleanly rake the area during the times when it is in working position and may bevery readily actuated to its dumping position without imparting any severe shocks to the structure. In tests of apparatus of this character, it has been found that a very light pull upon the actuating element 25 will suhice to initiate actuation of the clutch since the friction between the clocks 23 and the tires 20 will ordinarily insure a continuation of the clutching movement.

- Since the construction illustrated is obviously capable of considerable modification without departing from the spirit of our invention, we do not 'wish to be understood as limiting ourselves except as hereafter claimed.

" We claim:

1. In a rake of the type described, an arched tine frame comprising a cross member bearing tines and side members bearing stub axles, supporting wheels on said stub axles, a draw frame pivoted to said tine frame, said tine frame normally inclining upwardly and rearwardly from the stub axles, means including cushioning springs interposed between the draw frame and the tine frame and resiliently opposing rearward movement of the tine frame for counterbaflancingratsubstkntiidtparttofitirerweightiofithez frames whens in normal. positiom, means: tor swin -.1 thitimfi'hlmf forwardly; about;

said stub axles througlnatpredetemrinedearc andl springssinterposedilietween the draw frame and tlne'zfirame andiresiliently opposing said forward movement of the tine frame.

2. In a rake-off theitppez deseribed, an arched tine frame. comprising. a.- crosslmember. bearing tines and side members bearing-stub axl'es sup porting wheels rotatably' mounted on said stub axles, an oscilliaetbry rod carried; by said ,tine framerand having at its endslblocks for engages" ment with. the periphery of? said supporting wheels; said blocks and supporting: wheels being relatively compressible and the. initial. engagement of therblocks occurringsatza point spaced circumferentially of'the wheels from the oscillatory rod at that side of the rod such that following a clutch engaging movement of the rod, said blocks and wheels have frictional engagement with one another compelling further oscillatory movement of the blocks following such initial enagement, means to limit oscillatory movement of the blocks under such frictional engagement, means to oscillate the rod to cause initial engagement of the'blocks with the wheels, means to disengage the blocks from the wheels following a predetermined oscillation of the tine frame with the wheels, and means to positively return the tine frame to a normal position in which the tines are in a hay gathering relation to the ground, the last, named means comprising a draw frame oscillatably connected with the tine frame and springs interposed between said frames and resiliently opposingosciilation of the tine frame in response to clutching engagement between said blocks and wheels.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a bar is pivoted to the draw frame forwardly of the pivoted connection of the tine and draw frames and is extended through an opening in the cross member, and the first and last named springs are mounted'on said bar at opposite sides of the cross member.

4. In combination, a portable structure including supporting wheels, a movable frame carried thereby and supporting implements shifted by oscillatory movement of the frame into and out of operative position, a clutch to connect said frame with at least one of said wheels to cause movement of the frame in one direction, said clutch comprising an oscillatory cam member, a pivotal support for said cam member about which the cam may be oscillated to bring it into engagement with the wheel and to release it from said engagement, the direction of oscillation and the contour of the cam member being such that the primary frictional engagement Of the said member with the wheel institutes a-further angular movement of the member about the pivotal support with a constantly increasing pressure engagement between the cam member and the wheel, means to turn the cam member on its pivot to cause said primary engagement thereof with the wheel membersto cause primary engagement thereof with the wheel, means to limit the extent of the oscillatory movement of the cam member, means to thereafter disengage the cam member from the wheel, and an operative connection between the frame and cammember whereby said frame is shifted in response to movements of the member resulting from its frictional engagement with the wheel.

5. A device as claimed inclaim 4 in which one ofithemscillatory membersan'd wheellllaszammla pressible surface thereof..

6:. A. device: as claimed in;v claim:.4:w-herein the osciilatonyiimemberz iszof: substantially rigid cones stmetiorn and the. periphery: of the? wheelcoma prisesiaipneumatio tirez.

ii In combination alportable. struotureincludae ingrsupporting. wheels; a: movable: framefoakrriedi mg comprising an oscillatory cam element engaging;

the: wheel periphery;- and so contoured. that after; primary engagement. therewith itshas: frictions-ll coaction therewith causing oscillation of the camming element in a direction to increase the gripping between the camming element and wheel, means to engage the camming element with the wheel, means to limit the oscillation of the camming element, and means to release the camming element from the wheel after a prede-' termined oscillation of the implement frame.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 in which one of the camming element and wheel has a compressible surface for engagement with the other.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the cam is of substantially rigid construction and the periphery of the wheel comprises a pneumatic tire.

10. In a rake of the type described, an arched" tine frame comprising a cross member bearing tines and side members bearing stub axles, supporting wheels onsaid stub axles, a draw frame pivoted to said tine frame, said tine frame normally inclining upwardly and rearwardly from the stub axles, means including cushioning springs interposed between the draw frame and the tine frame and resiliently opposing rearward movement of the tine frame for counterbalancing a substantial part of the weight of the tine frame when in the said normal position, means including a clutch to swing the tine frame forwardly about said stub axles through a predetermined arc, springs interposed between the draw frame and tine frame and resiliently op-- posing said forward movement of the tine frame, and means to suddenly release the clutch and thereby free the tine frame for return movement upon the completion of the forward movement of the tine frame.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein a bar is pivoted to the draw frame forwardly of the pivoted connection of the tine and draw frames and is extended through an opening in the cross member, and the first and last named springs are mounted on said bar at opposite sides of the cross member.

12. In a rake of the type described, an arched tine frame comprising a cross member bearing tines and a side member bearing a stub axle, a supporting wheel rotatably mounted on said stub axle, an oscillatory rod carried by said tine frame and having at its end a block in proximity to the periphery of said supporting wheel so that said block may be brought into clutching engagement with said periphery by oscillation of the rod, means to limit oscillatory movement of the block by the wheel when so clutched to the latter whereby the tine frame is caused to rotate with the wheel, means to oscillate the rod to engage the block with the wheel, and means to disengage the block from the wheel following a predeterfor engagement with the other? oscillation of the tine frame with the wheel.

13. In a rake of the type described, anarched tine frame comprising a cross member bearing tines and a side member bearing a stub axle, a supporting wheel rotatably mounted on said stub axle, an oscillatory rod carried by said tine frame and having at'its end a block in proximity to the periphery of said supporting wheel so that said block may be brought into clutching engagement with said periphery by oscillation of the rod, means to limit oscillatory movement of the block by the wheel when so clutched to the latter whereby the tine frame is caused to rotate with the wheel, means to oscillate the rod to engage the block with the wheel, means to disengage the block from the wheel following a predetermined REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date -166,708 Lipe Aug. 17, 1875 206,959 Mil1er Aug. 13, 1878 1,148,181 Maw Jul 27, 1915 2,026,112 White Dec. 31, 1935 

